The nineteenth century marked the high point of Western Imperialism with much of the world falling under colonial rule.
European powers expanded their empires to swallow almost every independent state in Africa and Asia.
But were their armies really so superior to the native forces they eventually overcame?
In this ground-breaking book, historian Douglas Porch overturns the idea that indigenous fighters were easily outclassed by European armies. In this violent clash of cultures, the margins of victory were often slim and the 'civilized' powers sometimes met bloody defeat.
Native militias often defeated their European counterparts, and sometimes quite spectacularly. The British Army fell victim first to American rebels, then Afghans, Indian mutineers, and finally to the Boers.
From the 'scramble for Africa' to the Russian march into the Caucasus, this fascinating story of the Age of Imperialism is about more than mere clashes of arms. It is about clashes between civilisations, wars fought between peoples of radically different mentalities, different levels of political organisation, and of contrasting technological capabilities.
It chronicles the period of the great African land rush, the Russian advance over Central Asia, American imperialism and the expansion of the British Empire across the globe.
"This outstanding book will delight both scholars and well-informed general readers who appreciate a great story well told." Jay Freeman, Booklist.
Douglas Porch is a professor of national security affairs at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California.
Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent publisher of digital books.
European powers expanded their empires to swallow almost every independent state in Africa and Asia.
But were their armies really so superior to the native forces they eventually overcame?
In this ground-breaking book, historian Douglas Porch overturns the idea that indigenous fighters were easily outclassed by European armies. In this violent clash of cultures, the margins of victory were often slim and the 'civilized' powers sometimes met bloody defeat.
Native militias often defeated their European counterparts, and sometimes quite spectacularly. The British Army fell victim first to American rebels, then Afghans, Indian mutineers, and finally to the Boers.
From the 'scramble for Africa' to the Russian march into the Caucasus, this fascinating story of the Age of Imperialism is about more than mere clashes of arms. It is about clashes between civilisations, wars fought between peoples of radically different mentalities, different levels of political organisation, and of contrasting technological capabilities.
It chronicles the period of the great African land rush, the Russian advance over Central Asia, American imperialism and the expansion of the British Empire across the globe.
"This outstanding book will delight both scholars and well-informed general readers who appreciate a great story well told." Jay Freeman, Booklist.
Douglas Porch is a professor of national security affairs at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California.
Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent publisher of digital books.
